MFN Wednesday 22nd April Police Stops

[dingocooke]

Police were stopping riders going to MFN bike meet last night, both sides of the road coming in from the Heanor/Ilkeston side of the venue near the old American Adventure.

Reports from friends saying people were being stopped in both directions by two police teams, doing document checks, general vehicle checks, small plate advisories, requests to replace pointy handlebar grips (I kid you not) etc.
I went in via the other entrance on my 100% stock legal R1 via the Eastwood/A610 direction, and there was no Police stop teams there, (they occasionally speed trap it on Wednesday Nights) but I did arrive and leave very early, so maybe missed the free MOT ?

My take on this is it's a little heavy handed, arguably not in the public interest, and not a good use of police time in an area where there is extensive substance abusive and other crimes of acquisition that are just getting crime numbers?

Interested what people think; I have no issue with the police at all; and this is a generally very well behaved crowd with a mix of every conceivable bike, and on private land away from any noise nuisance.

[herewego]

Now that they've done it found everyone to be legal they'll probably move on.

[Drumroll]

Police just doing their job. Really don't see at as problem and certainly not from what the op said heavy handed.

[Hooli]

The riders were enjoying something that uses fossil fuels, that's illegal don'tcha know?

Besides, it's much easier for plod to hassle them that chase scary violent criminal types.

[dingocooke]

Feedback from the people I spoke to was not positive, and heavy handed was mentioned by them. I do find it bemusing that the police site insufficient resources to tackle more serious crimes, yet can have multiple officers involved in this? I guess it could be said this is traffic, and thats all they do?

[eatcustard]

How can the Police be heavy handed if your bike is legal?

Keep your vehicle legal and all will be well.

[lbc]

I don't see the problem.

All the bikers could have been wanted muggers, rapists, burglars, have dodgy number plates/exhausts/tyres or are terrorists.

If they catch one wanted criminal it's job done.

[andburg]

Lets face it a huge amount of bikers knowingly run illegal plates, track only exhausts etc...where better to have a mass clear up than a bike meet. Generally you get ignored as its not worth the hassle for plod.

Bit of a presence at a bike meet will usually keep things under control and stop the idiots attending and ruining everything.

If you bike is legal whats the hassle, 5 minutes of your time when its not going to make you late for something.